President Trump To Visit Florida This Week Following Irma

"This is a House like no other." said the president, noting that the White House has been defined by different words in its history, including "beauty", "power", and "coldness".

The President praised emergency crews for doing an "amazing job" saving lives, and told reporters that power is rapidly being turned back on throughout the state.

However, some scientists have found that the effects of global warming - namely warmer oceans and hotter air - can intensify hurricane formation and result in higher rainfall, though just how much those factors might affect the storms remains uncertain.

She said Trump and his "entire administration continue to monitor the situation in Puerto Rico, the United States, the Virgin Islands, Florida, Texas, and all areas affected by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey".

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said on Thursday that more than 38,000 federal personnel are now working to respond to Hurricane Irma, including staff from the military and civilian agencies.

First Lady Melania Trump is expected to accompany the president. "What do I know but I hope this man right here. runs for the Senate", he said. "But I know that at a certain point it ends for you, and we can't let it end", Trump said.

Trump, who was in and out of the state in about three hours, got an aerial view of the water-deluged homes along Florida's southwestern coast from his helicopter, then drove in his motorcade along streets lined with felled trees, darkened traffic lights and shuttered stores on his way to a mobile home community hit hard by the storm. Trump said, turning to the cameras. Almost 2.7 million homes and businesses were still without power on Thursday.

Hurricane Irma was one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record.

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Also joining Trump were Sen. Marco Rubio and FEMA administrator Brock Long on the airport tarmac before TV cameras.